This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/524471-england-new-covid-variant-detected/

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
UK health chiefs investigate new Covid-19 variant first found in Yorkshire region after 49 cases detected in England UK health chiefs investigate new Covid-19 variant first found in Yorkshire region after 49 cases detected in England
(about 2 months later)
Some 49 cases of a new variant of Covid-19 have been identified in England and the strain is now under investigation, health chiefs said on Friday, with research underway to check for more infections linked to it.Some 49 cases of a new variant of Covid-19 have been identified in England and the strain is now under investigation, health chiefs said on Friday, with research underway to check for more infections linked to it.
Most infections of the VUI-21MAY-01 variant, which is of the AV.1 lineage, are located in the eastern Yorkshire and Humber region, Public Health England has said.Most infections of the VUI-21MAY-01 variant, which is of the AV.1 lineage, are located in the eastern Yorkshire and Humber region, Public Health England has said.
A cluster of cases of the variant, which has several mutations in its spike protein, have been identified over the past few weeks.A cluster of cases of the variant, which has several mutations in its spike protein, have been identified over the past few weeks.
On Friday, the UK government officially declared the variant “under investigation,” meaning it is looking for cases elsewhere and monitoring the spread of infection.On Friday, the UK government officially declared the variant “under investigation,” meaning it is looking for cases elsewhere and monitoring the spread of infection.
This is a less serious classification than a “variant of concern” – a status the government has used for the strains first detected in India and the UK, among others.This is a less serious classification than a “variant of concern” – a status the government has used for the strains first detected in India and the UK, among others.
Dr Kevin Smith of Public Health England said officials were “keeping an eye” on the new variant, and urged the public not to “be alarmed” and to continue adhering to health measures such as wearing a mask.Dr Kevin Smith of Public Health England said officials were “keeping an eye” on the new variant, and urged the public not to “be alarmed” and to continue adhering to health measures such as wearing a mask.
So far, the variant does not appear to be more transmissible, cause more severe infection or be more resistant to vaccines than earlier strains of the virus.So far, the variant does not appear to be more transmissible, cause more severe infection or be more resistant to vaccines than earlier strains of the virus.
It was first discovered by scientists at Yorkshire’s Sheffield University and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. The researchers are now sequencing more positive tests from local hospitals to inform the health situation, according to ITV.It was first discovered by scientists at Yorkshire’s Sheffield University and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. The researchers are now sequencing more positive tests from local hospitals to inform the health situation, according to ITV.
Like this story? Share it with a friend!Like this story? Share it with a friend!
Dear readers and commenters,
We have implemented a new engine for our comment section. We hope the transition goes smoothly for all of you. Unfortunately, the comments made before the change have been lost due to a technical problem. We are working on restoring them, and hoping to see you fill up the comment section with new ones. You should still be able to log in to comment using your social-media profiles, but if you signed up under an RT profile before, you are invited to create a new profile with the new commenting system.
Sorry for the inconvenience, and looking forward to your future comments,
RT Team.